MARK JONES will return to the Millennium Stadium next month like a fresh-faced teenager playing in his first cup final.

The reality is that Jones, who will celebrate his 39th birthday in June, has seen more action than all his Neath team-mates put together.

However, the romance of the Welsh Cup, in whichever guise, allows such stories to unfold before your eyes. So, while Jones closes in on what might be his final game in a Neath jersey, there is just enough time for the former Wales No 8 to add one final piece of silverware.

His first came way back in the late 1980s when his reputation was one to behold. An uncompromising forward, who occasionally over-stepped the line of acceptability, Jones went on to add further honours before heading north to sample the delights of rugby league.

Now, the Tredegar-born forward is back home in the land of his father and within touching distance of yet another trophy.

Since his return, Jones has enjoyed a spell at Pontypool and now a second spell back at The Gnoll, where it all began 18 years ago. However, not even the most optimistic of rugby followers could have envisaged such a colourful end to his colourful career.

"It will be my eighth cup final since I started playing rugby and, to be honest, I can't wait," said Jones.

"I think we are all disappointed to have seen the league slip away from us, so to win this competition would be our reward to the fans, who have stuck by us all season.

"It has been a good season for us but losing to Newport last week was difficult to accept. That was why we were so determined to get past the semi-final.

"Now we have got there, we must make sure that we wind up our season with a trophy."

Barring injury, Jones will be one of the first names on the team-sheet when coach Rowland Phillips pencils in his 15 starters for a showdown with Caerphilly on May 8. What's more, there is unlikely to be a more significant contributor to Neath's bid for the Konica Minolta trophy.

On Saturday, and although the plaudits were handed out to the likes of Gareth Morris, Matthew Jones and Brett Sinkinson, Jones was, without doubt, one of he main reasons behind Neath's success over the Ravens.

Rarely utilised at the line-out, where Lyndon Bateman and Hywel Jenkins were the main protagonists, his contribution came at the breakdown and in the scrum where Neath laid a decent platform on which to construct their charge for the final.

They survived an early onslaught from a combative Bridgend pack that made up for its lack of experience by playing with unbridled passion. Well-coached by Richard Webster and showing a level of commitment prevalent throughout his career, they took the lead courtesy of a penalty from outside-half Austin Howells.

However, Neath, who had fed one or two regional players into their line-up, responded well with a try from the hugely impressive Kevin James.

James, who has already played for Ebbw Vale and Caerphilly this season, as well as having one game as a replacement for the Dragons, popped up on the inside of fly-half Matthew Jones and, after showing a clean pair of heels to full-back Anthony Carter, the former Wales under-21 international touched down in the corner for Jones to improve.

Howells reduced the arrears with his second penalty after 20 minutes before sending his side in front with a third three minutes later.

However, Neath, who had given up a 17-point lead seven days earlier in their win-or-bust league game at Newport, were in no mood to waste this golden opportunity to reach the final.

So, when Jenkins was driven over from a line-out five metres from the Bridgend line and Jones added a penalty, there was genuine feeling that this, at last, was their day.

Jones scuffed a penalty five minutes before the interval after Bridgend were once again penalised for offside but, two minutes into injury time, Ospreys' full-back Gareth Morris added a touch of class to the game with a stunning try that Jones converted with the final kick of the half.

Ten minutes after the restart the game was all but over as Morris chipped through for Richard Johnston to juggle, collect and score in the corner.

Nathan Strong, who did his bit to keep the Ravens in touch, did gain some consolation for his side with a try on the hour, but Neath had done enough to secure their place in the final.

By the time referee Nigel Williams had blown for time, Jones was wrapped in ice and preparing himself for 24 hours of pain.

However, a few bumps and bruises have never stood in the way of this particular Welsh All Black and when Neath return to the Stadium to take on Caerphilly, Jones will be ready and willing to die for the cause.